ANNAPOLIS, MD — Jan 12, 2005   Emphasizing the merits of county parks and local recreational opportunities, Governor Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. today announced Board of Public Works approval of $1,442,582 in Program Open Space funds for Anne Arundel, Calvert, Charles, Prince George’s, and St. Mary’s Counties.

“Marylanders of all ages will be able to take advantage of the recreation projects funded today,” said Governor Ehrlich. “Additionally, the purchase of five acres of land near the Patuxent will help to safeguard this river from excessive runoff.”

The total allocation of $1,442,582 funds 13 projects in five counties: Anne Arundel County:

• The Board approved $60,000 to expand instructional and exhibit space at the Osprey Nature Center at Back Creek Park in Annapolis.

Calvert County:

• The Board approved $125,000 to construct five picnic pavilions at Kellam’s Recreational Complex in the town of Chesapeake Beach.

Charles County:

• The Board approved $50,000 for improvements at Woodland Village Park in the town of Indian Head. These include replacing playground equipment, renovating basketball courts, and installing trails, a bike rack, and picnic grills.
• $100,000 to remove unsafe play equipment and build a special needs, ADA-compliant play area at Laurel Springs Park near La Plata.

Prince George’s County:

• $481,000 to acquire the 5-acre Matheny property on Whites Landing Road as an addition to Patuxent River Park, which is part of the 6,633 acres owned by the county in the stream valley. The park surrounds the property, which is mostly wooded but contains three houses and a tobacco barn. The acquisition will improve access to the river and protect this environmentally sensitive land, which lies less than a half a mile from the Patuxent.
• $45,000 to replace unsafe playground equipment and to install safety surface at Alice B. McCullough Field in Laurel.
• $176,682 for improvements at Hudson Park in the city of District Heights. Projects include replacing playground equipment, installing a picnic area, installing handicapped-accessible parking and trails, upgrading the gazebo, and landscaping.
• $100,000 to construct a restroom facility and a park ranger’s office at Buddy Attick Park in Greenbelt.
• $61,500 to renovate the pavilion and the basketball and tennis courts at Goodwin Park in the city of Seat Pleasant.
• $118,400 for improvements at the Dellwood Avenue tot lot in Glenarden. Projects include landscaping and installing playground equipment and safety surface, a walkway, benches, and trash receptacles.
• $25,000 to install a memorial to veterans, which will include walkways and a seating area, at North Brentwood Memorial Garden in the town of North Brentwood.

St. Mary’s County:

• $100,000 to construct the first phase of the Three Notch Trail, a 10-feet-wide mile-long trail segment extending from Route 236 in New Market north to the Northern County Senior Center. This segment will accommodate walking, biking, horseback riding, running, and rollerblading and serve as an alternative route for the Amish community. The entire trail will eventually run 28 miles.
• $75,000 to construct two picnic pavilions and install four park benches and one bike rack at Nicolet Park near Lexington Park.